Self-Cleaning ovens are one of the most convenient inventions ever. Imagine never to regularly clean up after a day’s worth of baking, what heaven!
Still, you may need to tidy up this handy appliance after its self-cleaning cycle. Here is our list of do’s and don’t’s for this kitchen gadget. Remember to read the manual before operating, as ignorance may cost you some serious appliance repair.
However, for anything you aren’t sure about or aren’t willing to try, please do so contact us for any appliance repair in Edmonton area.
DO’s
This type of oven depend on high temperatures or steam to burn up grime and residue. A thorough cleaning may last between thirty minutes to seven hours. However, you may still need to clean dirt from sugar and carbohydrates that cannot be covered by the high temperature.
Simply use a soft cloth soaked with warm water and a gentle detergent. Alternatively, you can use baking soda. Rinse with vinegar after, especially with stubborn spots.
Emphasize areas that are not self-cleaned by the oven itself such as the sides of the oven door and its frame. You may be able to use the usual oven chemical cleansers in these areas.
Wipe off any residual dirt such as ashes from the burnt food particles with a soft cloth.
Do also wipe off heavy stains before doing self-cleaning, so that the high temperatures will not leave them burnt into the porcelain surface.
Before doing the cycle, store away anything on the range, whether stainless or not. The high temperatures can melt, burn, or warp common kitchen utensils and pans.
DON’T’s
Never use harsh chemicals to clean anything inside the oven, let alone your standard chemical used for typical ovens. They’re called self-cleaning for a reason.
If you want, you can leave the racks inside while the ovens are self-cleaning. However, expect their physical appearance to be altered by the high temperatures. Refer to the manual just in case.
In case you do leave them inside, you can clean them after with a wool pad, and rub a little oil on the edges of the rack for easier sliding in and out. Our advice: clean up the rack before your oven self-cleans or do it after the cycle.
Bowls used for burner drips may be used but expect them to discolor and leave rings in the area which can or cannot be scraped off.
Having pets near self-cleaning ovens are generally okay, except for birds from tropical areas such as parrots, macaws, love birds and cockatoos. The resultant fume, carbon monoxide can reach levels that are toxic to these birds.
While we’re on this topic, it is better for anyone or anything alive to be kept to another room while the oven is self-cleaning. It may also be necessary to open windows, doors, and exhaust fans before the process and leave them open at least an hour after.
Schedule the self-cleaning with enough time before cooking a large batch of food. That means you cannot use the oven right after the cycle. Allow all of the oven components to cool down. The oven may be used again 24 hours later.
